The relationship between thought, language, and the world is an intimate one. When we have an idea or thought about the world and we wish to express that idea or thought to others we utter a sentence or make a statement. If the statement correctly describes the world then it is true. Moreover, it seems as though our ability to have more complex or sophisticated thoughts about the world increases as the complexity of our language or our ability to use the language increases. Understanding the complex relationship between language, thought, and the world is one of the central aims of philosophy. This book is an attempt to increase our understanding of this complex relationship by focusing on certain philosophical issues that arise from our ability to refer to objects in the world though the use of language. In particular, it is an attempt to solve the puzzles of reference and belief that Frege and Russell presented within the context of a theory of direct reference for proper names.
A faith should be a living thing. What we believe necessarily evolves in response to insights into the Bible, to questions or doubts we face, to changes in life circumstances, or to things that happen in the larger world. Nevertheless, Christians often find it helpful to identify what they can most fully believe at a given moment. Such clarity empowers the present and leads us toward the future. Such moments can also be mile markers by which we measure our faith journey. In each chapter the first section lists the most common ways a certain topic is understood in the Bible. The second section identifies important ways the church has interpreted that topic since the Bible's inception. The third section introduces contemporary perspectives. With that foundational knowledge, readers can make a judgment as to which viewpoints seem more or less persuasive to them personally. Finally, each chapter ends with questions for reflection for individuals or small groups.
If there is such a thing as essential reading in metaphysics or in philosophy of language, this is it. Ever since the publication of its original version, Naming and Necessity has had great and increasing influence. It redirected philosophical attention to neglected questions of natural and metaphysical necessity and to the connections between these and theories of reference, in particular of naming, and of identity. From a critique of the dominant tendency to assimilate names to descriptions and more generally to treat their reference as a function of their Fregean sense, surprisingly deep and widespread consequences may be drawn. The largely discredited distinction between accidental and essential properties, both of individual things (including people) and of kinds of things, is revived. So is a consequent view of science as what seeks out the essences of natural kinds. Traditional objections to such views are dealt with by sharpening distinctions between epistemic and metaphysical necessity; in particular by the startling admission of necessary a posteriori truths. From these, in particular from identity statements using rigid designators whether of things or of kinds, further remarkable consequences are drawn for the natures of things, of people, and of kinds; strong objections follow, for example to identity versions of materialism as a theory of the mind. This seminal work, to which today's thriving essentialist metaphysics largely owes its impetus, is here published with a substantial new Preface by the author.
In 1672 Thaddeus and Elisabeth Haskins, a young couple, from Cape Cod, Massachusetts journeyed to Falmouth, Maine, hoping to establish a new life. In three years they became successful farmers producing abundant crops and managing a growing cattle herd until barely escaping with their two children from an Indian attack during King Philip's War. The Haskinses lost everything and limped back to their Cape roots, remaining there until their parents passed. With the proceeds of their families' estates the couple moved to Salem, Massachusetts, purchased and operated an inn, tavern, and several farms. They planned to acquire capital and return to their Falmouth lands. Thaddeus hired Almerk, a talented multibreed Indian, who became his right-hand man and later married his daughter. At Salem, Elisabeth was accused of witchcraft and died in prison awaiting trial. This enraged Thaddeus and enhanced his already intense loathing of the Puritan hierarchy and their religious beliefs. He passed his views on religion and the clergy to his progeny. Overtime the family became wealthy and prominent, if not dominant in Falmouth society. They acquired a fishing fleet, merchant vessels and an abundance of farm and forest lands. In short, they became colonial aristocrats. Their descendants participated in wars against the Indians and the French, the Revolutionary War, and the War of 1812, the Civil War, the Spanish American War and both world wars of the 20th century. The Haskins family became renowned for charity, assisting new settlers in surviving the extremes of the Maine winters. On many occasions their financial assistance helped Falmouth, later Portland endure hard times. In the 19th century the Haskins became international traders and bankers shifting some of their operations to New York, Canada and London while retaining their Portland mansion and position in the city's society. The family did not acquire all of its wealth legally. Critics considered their cooperation with the British during the Revolutionary War to be treason; and their later liquor smuggling flouted the law even as it added to the family fortune. The novel follows the Haskins family's adventurous march through three hundred years of war and peace ending with World War II and the final disposition of the Haskinses' Portland homestead and the dispersal of family members throughout the country and abroad. This is an account of a family's survival, and attainment of great wealth and influence, achieved largely through hard work and wise decisions. Throughout their history the Haskins preserved their skepticism of established religion.
In their escape from Boko Haram's reign of terror in Nigeria, Tani's family's journey to the United States was nothing short of a miracle. Then 8-year-old Tani started competing with his public school in the ultra-exclusive chess clubs of New York City – and winning. A true story of sacrificing everything for family and living with nothing but hope. Tani Adewumi didn’t know what Boko Haram was or why they had threatened his family. All he knew was that when his parents told the family was going to America, Tani thought it was the start of a great adventure rather than an escape. In truth, his family’s journey to the United States was nothing short of miraculous—and the miracles were just beginning. Tani’s father, Kayode, became a dishwasher and Uber driver while Tani’s mother, Oluwatoyin, cleaned buildings, while the family lived in a homeless shelter. Eight-year-old Tani jumped into his new life with courage and perseverance—and an unusual mind for chess. After joining the chess club in his public school, Tani practiced his game for hours in the evenings at the shelter. And less than a year after he learned to play, Tani won the New York State chess championship. In this incredible book, you’ll discover: An inspirational true story of perseverance, hard work and love An eye-opening account of the threats from Boko Haram in Tani’s homeland of Nigeria The true power of the miracles each one of us can do for one another A young boy with an aptitude for chess? Absolutely. But if you ask Tani Adewumi, he will tell you he believes in miracles and one happened to him and his family. This story will inspire, delight, and challenge you to believe, too.
Life is full of labels that limit, but God has a new name He longs for you to hear - a name that boldly declares freedom from your past and hope for your future. Join Esther Fleece Allen, bestselling author of No More Faking Fine, in this profound exploration of your God-given identity that no label can limit and no circumstance can shake. Too often, our identity gets tangled up with our circumstances, and suddenly, the truth of who we are is colored by our relationship status, our job title, the shame of our past, or what others say about us. People might pin toxic, untrue labels on your back. Life might knock you down. And you might even wrongly label yourself. But God never does. Our God-given identity is the truest thing about us, and God spends a lot of time in the Bible telling us who we are. It's time to take Him at His word. God's names for you are not post-it-note provisions; they are names to be studied, taken to heart, and believed, all in the journey of becoming your truest self just as He created you to be. Let Your New Name be your first step in this journey of a lifetime.
An amazing, miraculous refugee story of coming to America, the young readers edition of Tani Adewumi's story will inspire kids looking for true stories of doing hard things. At eight years old, Tani Adewumi, a refugee, won the 2019 New York State Chess Championship after playing the game for only a year--and while homeless. Tani and his family fled Boko Haram's reign of terror in Nigeria to come to the United States, where they lived in a New York City homeless shelter while waiting to be granted religious asylum. Tani began attending a public elementary school and decided he wanted to join the chess program, but it required a fee. Tani's mother reached out to the coach, who offered Tani a scholarship--and a year later the young immigrant became a chess champion. Ideal for readers 8 to 12 years old, this adaptation presents compelling insight into: What it means to leave a comfortable home and move to a new country with nothing What it's like to live in America as a homeless family How it feels to be an outsider, a Nigerian, in a new school And what it means to learn a game, compete, and experience the thrill of winning Tani's story will inspire you to believe in the power of the human spirit to triumph over the greatest adversities. And his family's faith will inspire you to believe in miracles.
What’s in a name? The Names of God: 52 Bible Studies for Individuals and Groups offers a unique approach to Bible study by presenting a 52-week study focusing on the names and titles of God and of Jesus, one designed to help readers experience the Lord in fresh and deeper ways. . By studying such rich and varied names as Adonay, El Shadday, Abba, Yeshua, Lamb of God, and Prince of Peace, readers will encounter a God who is utterly holy, powerful, surprising, merciful, and loving. Each week’s study includes: • Background information to help readers understand the name • A key Scripture passage in which the name was first or most significantly revealed • A series of questions for individual or group study • A list of Bible passages for further reflection Based on Praying the Names of God and Praying the Names of Jesus but containing additional questions for reflection and study, this unique Bible study is designed to help individuals and groups explore the most important of God’s names and titles as they are revealed in the Bible. Also included is a helpful pronunciation guide to the Names of God in Ancient Hebrew and Koine Greek.
Spirit of Truth. Dove. Spirit of Holiness. Eyes of the Lord How much do you know about the person and works of the Holy Spirit? To many Christians, the third member of the Trinity is a mystery. This devotional study of the Holy Spirit looks at His ministry throughout Scripture as revealed in the names the Bible gives Him. Knowledge of Him will help you understand: -His power -His intercession -His indwelling -His gifts -His anointing -Fruit produced in believers Names of the Holy Spirit follows Names of Christ in a trilogy designed to help Christians better understand the glory, majesty, and power of the triune God.
This series of books explores what it means to live and worship among the many faiths unique to America's neighborhoods. Each book in the series illuminates the questions Christians have about other faiths such as Judaism, Islam, Hinduism, Jainism, Buddhism, Sikhism, Baha'i, Zoroastrianism, Afro-Caribbean religions, Native-American religions, Confucianism, and Shinto. Different faiths have different ideals of community, and different kinds of rules. In Belonging Lucinda Mosher explores the vocabulary of America's many religions, the theologies and rituals that create a sense of belonging, and how these religions handle life's stages--welcoming babies, rites of passage for adolescents, initiation, and conversion. Interwoven with interviews and personal stories, Belonging is intended for interfaith education of all kinds. A quick guide to each religion, a glossary, and recommended reading are included.
